Yahoo Sports reports that the New Jersey Nets are in talks with the Atlanta Hawks about a potential trade for Joe Johnson.

In a potential move that would cripple their aspirations of eventually acquiring Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard, the Brooklyn Nets are engaged in talks with the Atlanta Hawks on a deal for All-Star swingman Joe Johnson, league sources told Yahoo! Sports.

The Nets’ plan would be to pair Johnson and point guard Deron Williams to create an All-Star backcourt. No deal is close, and the Hawks and Nets were both discussing deals on several fronts, sources said. Hawks officials have told teams they have multiple trade possibilities.

After years of stagnation, the Hawks are in complete rebuild mode under new GM Danny Ferry. Yet any serious rebuilding efforts are blocked by Johnson, whose max contract still has four years remaining and which ends up in the $20-million-plus range in the final year of the deal, crippling under the new CBA. Billy King and the Deron-Williams-desperate Nets could be their Get-Out-Of-Luxury-Tax-Free card.

The Nets want a star, and the idea here is to pair Williams with Johnson, but not with Dwight Howard. Due to salary cap structures and the new CBA, the Nets would not be able to bring in Dwight Howard if they acquire Johnson. There is some speculation that Johnson could be seen as a “Plan B” if Deron Williams isn’t re-signed as well.

Johnson’s efficiency is slipping as his age climb just as his contract really gets going year-by-year. But he’s an exceptional defender, something that’s often overlooked, and still can have monster scoring nights. But for the Nets, this seems a bit desperate. Trading for Johnson would be proof that no contract is untradeable. He’s an All-Star but only in the loosest sense of the word.

There are big rumblings across the NBA landscape as free agency season begins.

Matt Moore: How can you call them the New Jersey Nets and the Brooklyn Nets in the same paragraph? It’s like you are talking about two different teams. Which one is it? Proofread this stuff before you put it out.

It would have made more sense if they resigned D-Williams first, trade for howard THEN look for players to fill the gap because they would go to brooklyn at a cheaper price with hopes of deep playoff runs

Makes me wonder if they are trying to add bargaining chips for a Howard deal. Not that Joe Johnson is all that special. But put him with Lopez and a couple of first round picks and the Magic may be desperate enough to take the deal. Although I am completely against pacifying the superbaby.

Read your post after I read the Hibbert article, and I called Hibbert’s potential contract an Albatross.

In a battle of Albatross contracts who you got ,Joe Johnson or Roy Hibbert?

drunkenjunk - Jul 2, 2012 at 12:43 PM

I’d rather have Hibbert’s. At least he’s young and one of the best centers in the league. I live in Atlanta and have watched Joe the last few years. He’s the most undeserving max player. I still can’t believe the Hawks have 4 years left on that.

I can see your point about Deron. I personally would like to see him and Kidd team up in Dallas(Kidd as the back up). Not a Mavs fan, but I do like how Cuban takes care of his players. Even if he can be a bit of a goof sometimes.

Um has anyone ever considered the possibility that this deal is being considered to trade for Howard & Turkgolu? I think their salaries add up to $30 alone. Personally I think keeping a disgruntled Howard is not worth the risk of torpedoing relationships with your whole team. Got to move on.

That said… JJ, S-T Lopez, future Nets 1st, future ATL 1st (for even taking that albatross of a contract) might be enough to get Howard? Note…I think the Nets have enough cap room to take on JJ without sending anything significant back. If ATL is rebuilding because they are trading J Smith, they need that contract gone not just amnestied.